: COVID-19 Humanitarian impact Situation Update No. 10 As of 8 August 2020

This report is prepared under the auspices of the National Emergency Coordination Center for COVID-19 response, led by the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), supported by OCHA Ethiopia with participation of Cluster Coordinators. This issue covers the period from 26 July - 8 August 2020.

HIGHLIGHTS

• As of 8 August, Ethiopia reported 22,253 confirmed COVID-19 cases compared to 13,248 on 25 July. The cumulative number of recoveries has reached 9,707, while the number of deaths has increased to 390. Cases have risen exponentially in the last two weeks, with counting a total of 15,105 cases. (Source: MoH/ Ethiopia Public Health Institute, EPHI). • The Government announced a month-long nationwide COVID-19 testing and prevention campaign with a plan to carry out 400,000 tests. In a public statement, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that "following the conflicts and protests of recent weeks (Oromo), we are seeing the equivalent of monthly case numbers in just a few days." • The guideline that allows for people coming from abroad to quarantine at home upon presentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival, has been revised to the presentation of a Source: EPHI negative COVID-19 test taken within five days prior to The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. arrival. • As of 3 August, 17 COVID-19 positive cases were confirmed positive in the Qoloji IDP site and eight other positive cases in two (Kabribayah and Awbare) refugees' sites of the . The Qoloji IDP site hosts an estimated 12,532 HHs (75,192 individuals) residing in overcrowded settings. The Regional Health Bureau (RHB) has decided to increase random surveillance testing in all IDPs sites and refugee camps in the region. • Addis Ababa Mayor's Office has formed a coalition with private sector companies and non-governmental organizations (NGO) and launched a project called "Tenachin Bejachin" means "Our Health is in Our Hands" with a total potential value of US$6 million to support a population of 1.2 million COVID-19 vulnerable people in the metropolis. Two private firms, namely Dalberg and Roha have taken the initiative to organize the first of its kind public-private partnership. Roha secured US$1 million needed for the pilot project while the remaining US$5 million of the needed funds will be secured by donors, private sector players, and NGOs. • In the countrywide measles immunization campaign, the , with the support of UNICEF and partners, has reached approximately 14.2 children, including 89,386 children in refugee camps. According to the Ministry of Health, this represents 96 percent of the initial target of reaching 15 million children. COVID-19 and unrest, in some parts of the country, are some of the challenges faced by implementers during the immunization campaign. • The first progress report of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) for COVID-19 was released on 1 July with a requirement of US$7.32 billion. As of 31 July, the funding requirements for COVID-19 response have risen to US$39.76 billion out of which US$506 million is allotted to Ethiopia. As of 8 August, $10.26 billion (19.9 percent) has been funded. For further updates: https://fts.unocha.org/appeals/952/summary and for the monthly GHRP funding update (as of 31 July): https://reliefweb.int/node/3659709.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia have increased as a result of COVID-19, the impact of the desert locust infestation, floods, and changes to the displacement landscape.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to Coordinate the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. www.unocha.org/ethiopia Ethiopia – Impact of COVID-19, Situation Update No. 10 |2

Based on the National Meteorology Agency (NMA) weather outlook, normal and above normal rainfall is expected in August in the south-western, western, and central parts of the country. In July, especially in the second decade, above average rain was observed in these areas. As a result, floods were observed in (Ilu and Sebeta woredas), Afar (Asayita, Dubti, Millie, Dulecha and Awash Fentale woredas), SNNP (Dasench and Gnagatom woredas), Amhara (Fogera, Dera and Libokemkem woredas) and Gambela (Agnewak and Nuwer zones). This trend is expected to continue in August. As of 5 August 2020, close to 124,291 people were affected by flooding in Afar, Oromia, SNNP, Amhara, Gambella, and Somali regions, of whom 53,158 were displaced. The National Disaster Risk Management Commission, in collaboration with humanitarian partners, is currently working on flood preparedness and operational response measures. The NDRMC has supported the regional governments to address the current displacement by providing food, NFI, boats, and helicopter in support of ongoing flood-response operations. Critical gaps identified include ES/NFIs, boats, and finances to cover the full operation. On Friday 7 August, a Flood Task Force meeting was convened to review the current flood situation across the country and prepare a Flood Response Plan.

In a public statement, the State Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, stated that the country has launched mass testing for coronavirus and would carry out 200,000 COVID-19 tests in two weeks and expects 10,000 new confirmed cases as a result of this campaign. The plan is to cover 80 per cent of the country's woredas, testing people in 17 million houses (80 to 85 million of the total estimated 110 million population) via door to door service in 1,000 identified locations, where vulnerable people are present. Committees led by the ministry and presidents of each state have been organized across the country to combat the pandemic to work together to achieve the campaign results. The Government will also evaluate the outcome of the campaign through time to ease federal restrictions, including the academic and economic activities, in contrast with the pandemic.

According to WFP markets and supply chain watch reports (7-27 July 2020), most of the surveyed markets reported low demand dynamics, which likely to be an indication of households' deteriorating purchasing power, possibly because of lost or reduced livelihoods in light of COVID-19 factors. Similarly, the unrest in July critically reduced supplies and the availability of fruits and vegetables across Ethiopia. The availability of crucial staples (maize, sorghum, and wheat) was also generally adversely affected, but to a lesser extent, in the majority of surveyed markets. The maize prices have shown a modest increase in some monitored markets due to transport disruption from surplus to deficient markets. The prices of shoats (a hybrid sheep/goat) in the Somali Region steadily decreased due to low export demand in connection with the Hajj not taking place this year. Additionally, the steady weakening of the against the US Dollar and cash withdrawal limits appear to have impacted trade dynamics in some Somali Region markets. The various supply chain factors could affect future availability and prices of imported food items in the Somali Region.

On 5 August 2020, IOM and partners from 27 humanitarian and development organizations and Governments across Horn of Africa and Yemen launched the Regional Migrant Response Plan (RMRP) for 2020 with an appeal of US$84 million to provide life-saving assistance to hundreds of thousands of African migrants and host community members affected by COVID-19 in the Horn of Africa and Yemen. According to the RMRP, a total of US$ 43 million is needed to provide the required assistance to 127,000 vulnerable Ethiopian migrants. For further updates: bit.ly/2DIdf5P.

In a press briefing, the Commissioner of the Jobs Creation Dr. Ephraim Teklu stated that within four months, 330,000 jobs were affected/lost by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Commissioner, only 62 percent out of the three million jobs were found to be sustainable while the remaining, being temporary jobs, will likely terminate in less than a year. The Government has introduced a US$42 billion emergency and stimulation package to help affected individuals and businesses sustain the impact of the pandemic.

According to UNICEF, WASH activities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak have mainly focused on the construction of latrines and handwashing stations as well as in the provision of emergency water trucking to prevent COVID-19 transmission and improving sanitation in health facilities. A cumulative number of 1,985,975 people have been reached through the provision of WASH Non-Food Items (NFI) since the beginning of the COVID-19 response. Moreover, two hospitals in Bokoji and Asela have received roto tanks from UNICEF, bringing to 91 the total number of facilities (treatment, isolation and quarantine sites) accessing safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene through emergency water trucking, aimed at preventing COVID-19 transmission.

The return of Ethiopians from abroad continues. According to IOM, Ethiopia received more than 23,960 returnees between 1 April and 06 August: 5,789 from Djibouti, 5,639 from Somalia, 5,049 from Sudan, 3,162 from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), 1,024 from Kuwait, 995 from Kenya, 650 from Lebanon, and some more from other countries. At least 1,497 returnees are currently in quarantine centers. The Government, with support from IOM and other partners, is providing direct assistance to the returnees in quarantine facilities, including registration, food, water, NFIs, and onward transportation assistance.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Ethiopia – Impact of COVID-19, Situation Update No. 10 |3

2020 HRP - FUNDING STATUS

Contributions by sector as per the updated 2020 HRP financial requirements (as of 3 August 2020)

All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform OCHA's Financial Tracking Service (FTS - http://fts.unocha.org) of cash and in-kind contributions by e-mailing: [email protected]

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE – BY REGION Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions

Situation Overview • As of 8 August, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the reached 304, Amhara 677, and Tigray 1070. • Tigray RHB is concerned over the decreased support from humanitarian partners and the business community, which poses a challenge to the regional government in preventing the spread of the outbreak within the region. • Tigray regional government reinforced the wearing of the facemask in the regional capital and its environs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. People not wearing a face mask risk a fine of ETB50; the fine is to be paid to youth volunteers. In case of refusal of payment, the violator/s will be handed over to the police and charged ETB150, and if still failing to pay, the violator/s will be imprisoned for a month. • The fifth PRT laboratory is now operating in the Southern Zone of Tigray Maychew general hospital. The laboratory will boost the rapid examination of suspected cases in the zone. • In a press release on 20 July, the Tigray President expressed his concern over the fast-spreading COVID-19 infections in the region and confirmed community-level transmission cases in all the sub-cities of Mekelle. • The Tigray regional government reported in a press release the scarcity of the necessary equipment to respond to COVID-19 in the region. • As of 8 August, the overflow of Awash River and flash floods affected ten woredas in the Afar region. At least 49,065 people were affected, and 19,9626 peoples displaced as a result.

Humanitarian Impact • The Tigray communication bureau reported a critical shortage of the necessary equipment to respond to COVID -19 infection. • Poor community engagement may accelerate community transmission of COVID-19. • The NDRMC, with the support of partners, provided food and NFI support for the displaced.

Actions Taken • The Amhara Regional government provided 100 quintals of flour and 2000 quintals of biscuits for COVID-19 impacted poor households to 12 zonal administrations. • The regional government provided 500 quintals of flour and 4,250 liters of oil to 1000 poor households impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic in Gondar town. • Bahir Dar University provided 100 masks and 100 supplies of sanitizer to the regional government for distribution to ECC members to protect them from COVID-19.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Ethiopia – Impact of COVID-19, Situation Update No. 10 |4

• IOM provided full NFI kits and dignity kits for 1,500 people in West Gondar Point of Entry (POE) and 13 quarantine centers. • NGO Pro-Pride allocated ETB60,000 (~US$1,695) for COVID-19 prevention and response activities in the . • Local NGO OSA distributed personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizer supplies, and other equipment to six hospitals and one quarantine center in Mekelle city. • SCI provided partial NFI kits for the West Gondar Metema quarantine centers. Eastern Oromia, , Harari, Somali region

Situation Overview • As of 8 August, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Dire Dawa region reached 537, 284 in Harari, and 795 in the Somali region. • As of 3 August, 17 positive cases were reported in the Qoloji IDP site and eight others in two (Kabribayah and Awbare) refugee sites in the Somali region. • The Somali RHB expressed its difficulty in tracing the contacts of confirmed cases in Qoloji IDP camp due to poor commitment of the kebele administration. Out of 17 confirmed cases, nine people were quarantined while the other eight people have not been located. • One health professional was confirmed positive in the Qoloji IDP site. He has been isolated in Jijiga treatment center. • Several health professionals in the Somali region were confirmed positive; one humanitarian worker is suspected of having died as a result of COVID-19. • Some 592 migrants returnees from Djibouti are currently in the Dire Dawa University quarantine center. • The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is on the upturn in East and West , including the , while preparedness measures are insufficient with reports of PPE shortage for the frontline health professionals. • At Batroldadi PoE of Warder Woreda in Doolo Zone, there have been reports on the absence of PPE material, thermo scanner, staff, mosquito nets, dignity kits, bed sheets, kitchen utensils, transportation, and risk communication material including no partition to accommodate unaccompanied children. • COVID-19-related fear among people has highly affected transportation to deliver food intended for distribution to over 400,000 IDPs and returnees in East and West Hararghe. • Non-practicing of physical distancing and non-compliance to preventive hand-washing guidance have been observed in the communities of East and West Hararghe. • IOM plans to partition the main shelter of Gelile PoE in Ayshica Woreda to accommodate migrant returnees from Djibouti before they engage with the quarantine process. • In Dire Dawa, scarcity of supplementary food for children, pregnant and lactating women has been reported.

Humanitarian Impact • The absence of humanitarian partners in the Harari region is affecting the overall COVID-19 response efforts. • A critical gap of resources reported in all the regions is affecting the response to COVID-19. • COVID-19 has impacted businesses as well as the daily labor jobs in East and West Hararghe, including the Harari region.

Actions Taken • The Somali RHB has received 5000 VTM tubes from EPHI. • Administration for Refugee & Returnee Affairs, UNCHR and WHO have established a technical working group to discuss the response for refugees in Somali region. • With the support of humanitarian partners, the Somali Regional government has set up an isolation center at Shek Osman Primary School for the patient in Qoloji and is in the process to mobilize all the required services (security guards, food, NFIs, WASH, dignity kits) • The Somali Regional Security Bureau and the Disaster Risk Management Bureau have set up an incident command post inside the Qoloji IDP camps. • SCI is implementing a six-month WASH and Health project in six administrative councils of the Somali region. • IOM donated PPE and NFI to Dire Dawa Health Bureau and quarantine facilities.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Ethiopia – Impact of COVID-19, Situation Update No. 10 |5

Southern Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' region (SNNPR)

Situation Overview • As of 8 August, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in SNNPR reached 303 and 356 in Sidama, 49 in East Bale, 51 in Bule Hora, 12 in Bale, and 38 in Borena. • Four new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Shashemane town and Dodola prison center, raising the total number to seven. • In East Bale, the number of confirmed cases is sharply rising. The zone faces many challenges, including the lack of logistics, case treatment centers, and testing centers. • In Borena, the newly identified cases are among new arrivals from different countries that crossed the Ethiopia- Kenya border. • Compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures such as the use of masks and sanitizer as well as safe hand washing practices, has improved in Yabello, Miyo and Dirre woredas. At the same time, there is no considerable improvement in Moyale. • As of 3 August, the Humanitarian Hub in Bule Hora (West Guji) has lifted the self-quarantine/lockdown orders, as health authorities confirmed that all previously traced humanitarian contacts of the one affected coworker have tested negative. • In West Guji, COVID-19 quarantine, isolation and treatment centers are not adequately operational due to water, light, food, and PPE shortages, as well as lack of equipment and supplies.

Humanitarian impact • The zonal COVID-19 TF/Command Post has been suspended since the Oromia recent unrest. • In SNNPR, gaps in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the region have been identified in terms of logistics, capacity building, the standards of quarantine and isolation centers, expansion of laboratories, and improved strategies on Risk Communication and Community Engagement and support at PoEs.

Actions Taken • IRC received ETB4 million (~US$113,000) for COVID-19 prevention activities in West Arsi. • ZOA distributed COVID-19 material for Moyale treatment, isolation center, and quarantine centers. Procurement of WASH, NFI, and dignity kits for 600 households and 450 women is ongoing. Western Oromia, Benishangul Gumuz (BGR) and Gambella regions

Situation Overview • As of 8 August, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Gambela region reached 636 and 242 in BGR. • In BGR, shortage of beds, laboratory kits, PPEs, reagents, and funding for the operational cost of health professional has been reported. • As of 3 August, in East Wellega zone, a total of 86 confirmed cases with one death has been reported. The zonal administration has blocked public transport to Gida Ayana, Limu, Haro Limu, and Ebentu woredas to control the spread of the disease. • COVID-19 is impeding the activities of humanitarian partners in the Gambella region due to increasing cases in the region. Most of the confirmed cases are reported to be hiding in the community, refusing or resisting to go to a treatment center. • The absence of law enforcement and free movement of people without restrictions in Gambella are driving the spread of the COVID-19 in the region.

Humanitarian impact • Shortage of PPE for health staff, lack of essential drugs and equipment in isolation and treatment centers such as biohazard bags, mechanical ventilators, and oxygen in BGR, have been reported.

Actions Taken • UNHCR has delivered hangers, chairs, tables, solar panels with accessories, and a refrigerator to Digdiga health post. • In BGR, the RHB is engaged in community mobilization activities and raising awareness among people for proper usage of face mask and maintaining a physical distance.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Ethiopia – Impact of COVID-19, Situation Update No. 10 |6

GENERAL COORDINATION

COVID-19 – National / regional response coordination

• At a Federal level, the COVID-19 response is coordinated by the ECC and is led by NDRMC Commissioner. After establishing the regional ECCs in Amhara and Somali regions, the national ECC is planning to expand this coordination mechanism to the other areas. • A detailed list of contacts of key Government counterparts and OCHA focal points, can be found in the following link: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/ethiopia/document/ethiopia-covid-19-humanitarian- response-coordination-5-may-2020-en

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